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Masquerade festival in Spain

A man dressed as 'Trapajon,' representing entities of nature, waits in a forest before the start of the Vijanera festival, in the small village of Silio, northern Spain, Jan. 6, 2013. The Vijanera masquerade, of pre-Roman origin, is the first carnival of the year in Europe symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and involving the participation of crowds of residents wearing different masks, animal skins and brightly colored clothing with its own complex function and symbolism and becoming the living example of the survival of archaic cults to nature. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Credit: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza

A man dressed as 'Trapajon,' representing entities of nature, walks in a forest before the start of the Vijanera festival, in the small village of Silio, northern Spain, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza

So called 'zamarracos' march with bells as they follow a man dressed as a bear while participating in the Vijanera Festival, in Silio, northern Spain, Jan. 6, 2013. Zamarracos are the principal characters in the Vijanera festival tradition.

Credit: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza

A man dressed as a 'Trapajon,' representing entities of nature, poses for a picture after taking part in the Vijanera Festival in Silio, northern Spain, Jan. 6, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza

Men dressed as 'Trapajones,' representing entities of nature, wait in a forest before the start of the Vijanera festival, in the small village of Silio, northern Spain, Jan. 6, 2013.

Credit: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza

So called 'zamarracos' adorned with bells participate in the Vijanera Festival, in Silio, northern Spain, Jan. 6, 2013. Zamarracos are the principal characters in the Vijanera festival tradition.

Credit: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza

So called 'zamarracos,' adorned with bells, participate in the Vijanera Festival, in Silio, northern Spain, Jan. 6, 2013. Zamarracos are the principal characters in the Vijanera festival tradition.